Gas Station Attendant Hit, Killed by Truck

A 51-year-old Texaco station attendant was struck and killed Thursday by a driver who moments earlier had filled his truck with $41 worth of gas and was leaving without paying, police said.

The slain man, whose name was being withheld pending family notification, was trying to get the license plate number of the truck when it struck him, station manager Gustin Ficke said. Police are searching for the driver, who plowed into another car after fleeing from the station, investigators said.

The truck driver had pulled into the station at 3080 E. La Palma Ave. about 9:50 a.m. and had tried to pay for his gas with a credit card, which was denied, police said. The driver then asked to use a phone and told an employee that he was awaiting a return call, apparently to make arrangements to pay for the gas, Ficke said.

Police said the truck driver then tried to leave the station without paying. An attendant tried to stop him, at one point jumping onto the truck.

“The suspect vehicle collided with [a van], crushing the victim between the two vehicles,” a police spokesman said.

The driver of the white Isuzu stake-bed truck fled the station and crashed into a utility truck before crossing a raised divider onto westbound La Palma Avenue, police said. Several customers and other station employees witnessed the hit and run, authorities said.

The service station attendant died about 2 1/2 hours later at Western Medical Center-Anaheim. The driver was described as white, in his late 20s, about 6 feet and 200 pounds, with short brown hair. He wore a white shirt and jeans.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to call (714) 254-1835 or (714) 254-1861.